Deciphering the Multifaceted Relationship between Oncolytic Viruses and Natural Killer Cells

Figure 1

The immune reaction to oncolytic viral infection is two-phased response. Within hours after infection, the innate immune response consisting of NK cells, macrophages, and neutrophils is recruited to the site of infection and mediates initial viral clearance. Following this response to infection, innate immune mediators, particularly NK cells, mediate the downstream adaptive immune response that is a critical antitumor mediator. In order to reconcile this biphasic response, initial immune suppression targeting NK cells may be required initially after viral infection followed by a period of immune stimulation to elicit antitumor immunity.